Aston DB9/AMV8/X305 update

[Mike Butler]

As per recent threads on the Yahoo board I' d thought I' d let you know that I have now been asked for a deposit to firm up the order for the new AMV8.. This follows on from the original ' letter of intent' I sent in a couple of months back.... The letter from my local AM dealer still cites 2005 as a launch date whereas Autocar still has 2004 in their ' what' s coming when' list....

 

[NicD]

Looks nice Mike,

will you go for it?

Nic

 

[Mike Butler]

Hmmmmmmmm........ Probably but we' ll have to wait and see the real mccoy. I reckon I can always buy and then sell immediately for a nice profit...

 

[Brian Halling]

What' s the specification?
How much will it cost?
What deposit is required?

 

[Mike Butler]

Dunno (probably 350-400bhp V8 with 6 speed manual), Dunno (probably between 60K - 70K), £3k deposit...... However, I took a C4S out today and that is MUCH better than any other 996 I' ve driven.......

 

[Guest]

Here' s some info (extracted from Jan 8 Autocar)

All new bonded alloy VH platform
Front engined
Rear wheel drive
50:50 weight distribution
2 seater only
Hatch back (like Nissan 350Z)
Paddle shift, 6 speed manual, or 6 speed auto (as used by Jag) are options
4.3 litre V8 (modified Jag AJ-V8 unit, with new heads, manifolds, management system, etc)
Power to match or exceed 911, 350 bhp?
Weight sub 1500 kg
Price 60K-ish (guesstimate)
Volume around 3000 /year by 2007
Unique switchgear (no Jag, Ford or other parts bin bits)
Unique suspension parts (i.e. not Jag bits)

Designed by Henrik Fisker (head of AM design)

To get the engine size they lengthened the stroke to 92 mm since bore at 86mm is at the max. This over-square configuration makes for more torque but lower revving (maybe 6000 red line).

The hatch is wider at the bottom so you can get some golf clubs in.

The interior on the concept showed the seats in a mixture of leather and fabric, They claimed this " would appeal to younger buyers" (essential to their success) but I was underwhelmed by the photos. Mind you, it was in Orange leather.

Concept was too low for the road (it would not make it over a speed bump).
Cncept had speedo and rev counter needles going round in opposite directions (liek TVR).

The aim is " to match or exceed the strengths of the 911" .

I can' t find the article, but I thought I read that the techinical head of AM is the guy that failed to become technical director of Porsche. Maybe this explains why he wants to take on the 911.
It also mentioned that AM was too exclusive and that it needed to shift more metal, since if you are never seen no-one knows the name. Ford needs to get something for it' s investment.

The date for introduction was listed as 2005. I would guess they would launch in the US first.

The real challenge is to make handling, ride and steering as good as a 911 .
There is an XK8 replacement planned as well I think (although I have not seen any details), since it is getting on.
The issue for Ford/Jag/AM is to differentiate them.

Rgds, Stuart.

 

[Mike Butler]

All mags agree that it will have a 4.3 V8 in it but they can' t agree on the output, I' ve seen figures from 300 to 400 bhp quoted. IMHO it will need at least 350BHP to compete against the 997 that is likely to have been released by then. Looking at the price of the DB7 & Vanquish now, I would expect the price to be closer to 70K once specced up. The interior was a bit 70s for my liking but I' m sure there will be some full leather options! I just hope they don' t change the shape too much (or jack it up too high)!

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Guest]

I also think 350 bhp is what is needed.
Although I think that torque will be more important. If they are limited on top end revs then the peak power will be lower (this is how the GT3 gets more power than standard 911).
Jaguar have good experience with superchargers, so perhaps they will use this for strong low-mid range pull. With only two wheel drive it might be interesting in the wet. In the real world it seems 4 wheel drive is the way forward - look at the C4S and Turbo.

The 911 has had many years of refinement. The current 996 is remarkably good and no doubt the 997 will move the game on yet further.
I am not convinced that AM can match this straight out of the box.
If they want to make it sporty and track-day friendly, then are they up against the GT3 rather than the C2?

I think the AMV8 is going to lack the traction of the 911, but it will be interesting to see the results.

I don' t think they will change the shape much, but I do wonder if they will actually build it. I wonder if the business case really stacks up.

Rgds, Stuart.